How does Shakespeare use the image of the moon in A Midsummer Night's Dream? Select all that apply.

It provides an objective view of the events as they unfold.
It reinforces the dreamlike quality of the play.
It reminds the audience of the passage of time.
It reminds the audience that events are taking place at night.

Question

How does Shakespeare use the image of the moon in A Midsummer Night's Dream? Select all that apply.

It provides an objective view of the events as they unfold.
It reinforces the dreamlike quality of the play.
It reminds the audience of the passage of time.
It reminds the audience that events are taking place at night.

Vocaloid · Answer

Good timing, just got finished reading this one actually.

The play is called a Midsummer Night’s dream for a good reason. There’s a big emphasis on dreamlike whimsy, with magic and fairies and a lot of grand gesturing about love. Most of the play takes place at night, when the moon is out, adding a mysterious dreamlike quality.

The passage of time is also relevant to the play, since Hermia specifically only has four nights to decide to marry Demetrius, become a nun, or be put to death.

So I’d say all of the choices are relevant except “an objective view of the events as they unfold” since that’s the opposite of what the moon does, it obscures the events and adds a subjective dreamlike quality to the play.